AIADMK in a flux even as it celebrates party founder MGR’s birth centenary

The birth centenary of AIADMK founder and former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MG Ramachandran — MGR, as he was better known — coincides with an unprecedented leadership crisis in the five-decade-old ruling party.

The death J Jayalalithaa last month has left a vacuum at the top. The party has neither a solid second rung leadership nor a formally anointed heir.

While O Panneerselvam, State Finance Minister, was sworn in as CM within hours of Jayalalithaa’s death on December 5, 2016, the post of AIADMK general secretary was left open. The party closed ranks and selected VK Sasikala, an aide and close confidante of Jayalalithaa, as the party head by the month end.

The rumblings of discontent at the grass roots level and Sasikala’s utter lack of political experience were ignored as the party’s senior leaders garnered support for her over the next two weeks.

The executive council unanimously invited her to head the party at its meeting on December 29.

In interactions with media persons, leaders including C Ponnaiyan, a senior AIADMK member and former finance minister, articulated the mood of the top rungs of the AIADMK leadership, stating that as a close aide of Jayalalithaa for over three decades, Sasikala had learnt politics from her from close quarters.

Effectively, in identifying Sasikala as the party’s general secretary, the party had managed a smooth transition in leadership. However, it remains to be seen if she will rest with control of the party. Her supporters have gone a step further. Recalling precedents, they say naming the same person as CM and party head has always proved effective, and that Sasikala ought to become CM. O Panneerselvam has mostly been a mute spectator to this demand.

As a side issue, a section of the party cadres are projecting Jayalalithaa’s niece Deepa Jayakumar as her successor and a potential party leader. Deepa has never been part of the AIADMK — or had any political leanings so far.

However, according to those familiar with political developments, Sasikala will bide her time as there are two potential stumbling blocks. One is the Supreme Court verdict on the corruption case and the second is the need to face elections. In September 2014, a Special Court in Bengaluru found Jayalalithaa, and three associates including Sasikala, guilty of amassing wealth during the former’s tenure as CM between 1991 and 1996.

But, they were subsequently acquitted by the Karnataka High Court on appeal and the prosecution has taken the issue to the Supreme Court. A decision is pending, which could have a telling impact on Sasikala’s political career.

If Sasikala hopes to get into government, she has the task of facing the voters, which could prove the level of support she actually has.

Meanwhile, she needs to hold the party together, in itself a challenge.

Sasikala will garland MGR’s statue at party headquarters, and release a centenary souvenir. She will also distribute ₹1 lakh each to 104 poor workers of the Anna Trade Union, said a party press release. Panneerselvam will garland MGR’s statue at the MGR Medical University Campus.